The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-01-22
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM BALTIMORE.
The Mayors Broken Arm and his Forth
coming Message-Democratic Reform
and Other Matters of Interest.
BALTIMORE. January 18th. 1ss;

BALTIMORE, January 18th, 1887.
Messrs. Editors:-A serious accident happened
to Mayor Hodges a few days ago by his slipping
on the ice in front of his residence from the effects
of which he is still suffering By falling he frac-
tured one of the bones in his arm between the
elbow and shoulder, causing serious pain. 1t is
not a dangerous but q painful hurt, though he is
now writing his message and hopes to have it in
readiness when the Council meets. He, of course,
is still confined to his house, and Mr.. May, presi
dent of the First Branch, is acting as Mayor until
he is capable of going to his office in the City
Hall, which may not be for two or more weeks
He, too, feels very much the loss by death of the
SO soon, from necessity, by Mr.. Hopkins, an ex-
cellent man for the position. Already the Mayor
has to great extent foreshadowed much of what
will be in his forthcoming message. Many of
the sentiments given out are practical and full OF
good business sense. We may therefore expect to
see an able paper and well worthy perusal. 1t
will be entirely taken up with matters pertaining
to the city and such as might be expected from a
business man and thorough merchant. The fact
is such messages are of interest to the citi-
zens of Baltimore than a message from the Presi-
dent of the United States. They touch upon
things in which every citizen is interested and
come directly home. Mayor Hodges having lived
SO long in Baltimore and directly connected
with her business and business men, that what he
says in his messages must prove valuable to every
citizen merchants particularly. He regrets that
he has been somewhat interrupted by the accident
from doing exactly as he wished, but we may lcok
for an able message and not be disappointed at
having it in due time.
There has been recent meeting here of reform
ed Democrats, whose purpose is to strike off slight
ly from the old ways of managing their party,
though still holding on to Democracy as the lead
ing feature It is all very well, but have my
10, hot IL will do much O0Od The regulars
are too strong and will be in the lead when the
time comes. However, they can do no harm by
endeavoring to get some reforms and doing all the
good they can. Every little helps, and if Democ-
racy is to rule let it do the very best it can for the
good of all. Both Democrats and Republicans
want to have justice administered, no matter who
may be leaders.
River thieves have come about again and are
making depredations at various places, but they
have escaped detection.
A syndicate of great magnitude has been made
in New York. 1t involves many millions of dol
lars and contempla.es opening new railway to
the South which of course will cut into other I'M
provements of the kind. 1t goes through Rich
mond and ends in New Orleans, taking in inter-
mediate stations.
I observe that the Baltimore county Grand Jury
has in its recent report made some very excellent
suggestions which our Baltimore city jurors would
do well to initiate in their reports. L hope the
suggestions may be followed.
Ex-Mayor Latrobe always has invitations to
entertainments which he generally attends and
makes many very valuable suggestions in his re-
marks He is in the ring again as a candidate
for Mayor and stands good chance of election.
He certainly made an admirable Mayor and has
friends in all parties.
The death of Gen. Hazen in Washington, will
be deeply regretted. He stood deservedly high in
his department.
The new improvement in the postal department
in Baltimore, established in the northwestern Sec
ton of the city, works we'll and is great conve-
nience. The other stations will very soon be put
into operation. We are indebted to our new post
master for this.
The numbering our city on the new decimal
system is now completed. 1t is very well but the
numbers are by far too small and can scarcely be
seen, especially from the city passenger cars
Persons who want larger and better numbers will
have to bear the expense themselves.
Improvement still goes on in the erection OF
houses especially in the northern and northwest
ern parts of the city. Building next year will be
much greater than before. Many new houses are
to be put up in the Belt. 1t will be nearly built
up as far out as Huntingdon avenue.
There is not much going on just now on either
side in politics As the saying is "they are lying
low for black ducks" The temperance movement
seems to be going ahead. This, however, will
have to give way to the regulars when they get in
the field, as they always have done.
am glad to see that President Cleveland keeps
himself clear of complications and rursues a
straightout course just as he begun. He is for the
right government of the whole people for the coun-
try's sake
Business is still rather quiet and not much
change in prices. There is only moderate trans
actions on the Corn and Flour Exchange. There
are some who predict in Europe next spring
or summer and, as a consequence, advance the
price in leading articles, such as -four, grain and
provisions. They are trying now to get prices up
on the probabilities of there being the greatest
European war that ever was known. They say
that the leading nations of the Old World must
unite in it. I, however, doubt it. NEsToR.